Sport

New Bishops Castle Town boss aims for promotion

PLAYER-BOSS Alex Jones believes he can cope with the task of trying to lead Bishops Castle Town to promotion.

He will be without last season's player-manager Andrew Green, who has joined Spar Mid Wales League Division One club Montgomery.

Castle will also be without the services of Dan Dawson, who has joined Knighton.

However, the club have signed two new young players.

"Harry Evans, who is 16 or 17, has joined the club and a is a left-sided midfielder," said Jones.

"Rich Jones, a centre-half, has also signed for us from Newcastle.

"However, I play in the same position as Harry, so there will be competition there."

Town finished fifth in Mercian League Division One last season and got to the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup and the final of the Mercian League Division One Cup. They also won the Newcastle Cup and the Bishops Castle Cup.

Jones has been been a player at Bishops Castle for eight years and has previously played for Clun and Ludlow Under-18s.

He is following in the footsteps of his his father Fred, who has previously been in the hot-seat at Castle.

Town open their Mercian League Division One campaign this Saturday at home to Wrockwardine Wood Juniors.

"I think we could get promoted this seas" said Jones.

"We got to the final of the League Cup, so there's no reason to think that we can't do better than last season.

"I am 24 and am getting help from previous managers, like my dad.

"I ring him up every so often asking what I have to do but hopefully I will cope.

"I have had a few friendlies and the organisation of the team seems to be good.

"Everyone seems to be enjoying it, so I'll see how it goes."

Former boss Green, who has decided join Montgomery.

Green, who lives in Bishops Castle, said he wanted a break from managing a football club.

"I just wanted to get away from Castle for 12 months," said Green.

"Last year was really good, and that was really the reason why I stopped being a manager.

"A lot of hard work goes into into it and I've got a family.

"I think people don't understand what goes into being a manager.

"But, I will still be involved with Bishops Castle because that is where I live.

"I just want Alex to get the lads backs on track and for him to get on with it."